Custom Culinary® Supports the ACF

Custom Culinary® is proud of our long history of supporting the education of chefs. Currently an ACF Diamond Sponsor, indicating ACF's highest level of support, Custom Culinary® sponsors the National Student Culinarian of the Year Award.

In addition, we sponsor the American student competitor at the Hans Bueschken Junior Chef Challenge at the WACS Congress. In 2008, Keriann Von Raesfeld, representing the United States, won the Hans Bueschkens Memorial Trophy along with the title of “Best Young Cook in the World”. 

Check out how Kelly Conwell, CSC™, represented the United States at the 2010 Junior Chef Challenge. In addition, click here to see Chef Mike Minor present this year's award to Trevor Ritchie, Canada. 

Earning the ACF’s Seal of Approval*

Custom Culinary® Gold Label bases proudly bear the Seal of Approval and official endorsement of the American Culinary Federation. They have been recognized by ACF for their versatility, stability, consistency, ease of use, superior flavor, and safety.

Unlike other entities that offer tasting endorsements only, ACF requires extensive testing and evaluation of a product. The purpose of the test is not to measure the product against an ACF tester's personal sense of flavor, taste or overall appeal; rather, ACF's testers all agree to remove personal prejudices regarding the product (or product category it represents) to give unbiased, expert opinions based on measurable criteria. Products submitted for the Seal of Approval are measured against three sets of general criteria:

• Application: ease of use, versatility of product, adaptability of product       
• Physical properties: consistent appearance, texture, color, shape and size       
• Performance: use of or applying the product to cooking, baking or service procedures

Other characteristics could include:       

• Packaging standards: container, label, general compliance with government regulations and standards       
• Additional criteria: product positioning, guarantees or claims

The ACF Seal of Approval on a product guarantees that it will perform to the exacting standards of ACF-certified chefs.

Past winners:
Click here to read about the four competitors from the 2008 competition. Click here for the article in the ACF's student publication Sizzle about the 2007 winner, Carol Chandler. 

*For more information about ACF’s Seal of Approval, visit ACF’s website at www.acfchefs.org.